“Not the slightest, although I have several times suspected my lawyer, a man named Holbrook.”
“And a very well meaning young fellow,” added the governor. “I think, from the information I have received, that Holbrook has conducted himself in a manly way that is distinctly creditable. But may I ask how you expected to save Toby Clark from prison without knowing who committed the fault of which he stands accused, and in the face of a mass of incriminating evidence against him?”
“Yes; I expected to save him through Mrs. Ritchie.”
“You can compel her to withdraw the charge?”
“Mrs. Ritchie is completely in my power. Would you mind telling me who first took the box from the judge’s cupboard?”
“A weak and thoughtless girl—Hazel Chandler—who was tempted to steal the money that she might sooner wed the young man to whom she was engaged.”
“Dear me. Hazel Chandler! How unfortunate.”
“There is a general disposition, among those who know the facts, to shield her,” suggested the governor. “The girl has already been punished—through fear, personal remorse and the reproaches of her fiancé. I can see no benefits to the public at large nor to the interest of justice to be gained by casting this foolish girl into prison. Her redemption, if redemption is still needed, may be better accomplished in other ways.”
“I quite agree with you, sir; and I think that between us we may find a way to restore Toby Clark’s reputation to its former purity without drawing Hazel Chandler into the mire. When Mrs. Ritchie knows that her treachery and embezzlements have been discovered, I think she can be induced to sign a statement that her box was not stolen at all.”
“I see your point, Mr. Spaythe. And now please tell us about that paper.”